Optical fiber assembly with adjustable radial orientation

ABSTRACT

An optical fiber assembly kit ( 7 ) comprising: (a) a ferrule assembly ( 1 ) having at least one bore hole to receive an optical fiber and a first contact surface; (b) a positioning member ( 2 ) having a second contact surface and an aperture adapted to receive the ferrule assembly ( 1 ), wherein the first contact surface and the aperture are configured to form a first interface in which a first radial position relationship between the ferrule assembly ( 1 ) and the positioning member ( 2 ) is maintained; (c) a housing having an interior cavity adapted for receiving the positioning member ( 2 ) and the ferrule assembly ( 1 ), the housing and the second surface of the positioning member ( 2 ) are configured to form a second interface such that a second radial position relationship between the positioning member ( 2 ) and the housing is maintained, wherein one of the first or second radial position relationships is adjustable in increments less than a quarter rotation, and the other radial position relationship is predetermined, and wherein the one radial position relationship has an interference fit interface.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) toProvisional Application No. 60/280,777 filed on Apr. 2, 2001, which ishereby incorporated by reference in it entirety, including itsappendices.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an optical connector,and, more specifically, to an optical connector in which the radialposition of the fiber relative to the connector is adjustable.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] Optical fiber connectors are an essential part of substantiallyall optical fiber communication systems. For instance, such connectorsare used to join segments of fiber into longer lengths, to connect fiberto active devices such as radiation sources, detectors and repeaters,and to connect fiber to passive devices such as switches andattenuators. The principal function of optical fiber connectors is tohold an optical fiber such that its core is axially aligned with theoptical path of the device to which the connector is mating (e.g.,another fiber). This way, the light from one fiber is optically coupledto the optical path of the mating device.

[0004] Often there is a need to define the optical fiber's radialposition with respect to the connector. Such a need arises, for example,with the use of polarization maintaining (PN) optical fibers. To connectpolarization-maintaining optical fibers or to connect apolarization-maintaining optical fiber and another device, thepolarization planes of the fibers need to coincide with each other witha high degree of accuracy. For this reason, the connection relies on theindividual radial adjustment of each fiber.

[0005] Another instance in which it is desirable to set the radialposition of the fiber relative to the connector is in the use of singlemode fibers. More specifically, it is common in single mode applicationsto use fibers which have beveled end faces. The beveled end face isusually about 7° off perpendicular from the optical transmission path ofthe fiber, and insures that any light which is reflected from the endface interface is not reflected back down the optical transmission path.This way, damage to the light generating source (e.g. laser) is avoided.Since the end faces of mating single mode fibers are beveled, if theyare not radially aligned with one another, their bevels will not becomplementing, but rather interfering such that a gap between the endfaces results when the fibers are mated. Therefore, to ensure that thebeveled end faces mate in a complementary fashion, it is essential thateach fiber be held in the mating connectors in a particular radialposition.

[0006] Yet another instance in which a fiber's radial position withrespect to the connector is critical is in minimizing the insertion lossof a connector. More specifically, due to the asymmetry typically foundin ferrules (e.g., non-axial alignment of the fiber and apex offset),light transmission between mating ferrules is a function of the radialorientation between the two mating ferrules. Therefore, it is desirableto establish the radial position of the fiber relative to the housing ofthe connector such that insertion losses are minimized.

[0007] Traditional approaches for effecting the relative radial positionof the optical fiber to the connector tend to be either complicated ortoo coarse to realize the precise radial positioning often required. Forexample, a popular approach for radially positioning the fiber in a LCtype connector involves securing the fiber to the ferrule and thenmoving the ferrule assembly in quarter rotation increments until thelowest insertion loss of the four different positions is determined.Although this approach provides for some tuning of the connector, theapplicants recognize that often times four predetermined radialpositions are not adequate to realize the low insertion loss potentialof the connector.

[0008] Another approach for establishing the radial position of theoptical fiber relative to the connector is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,668,905 (herein referred to as the 905 patent). The 905 patent isdirected to establishing the radial position of a polarizationmaintaining fiber in an optical connector. It involves sliding anangular index member over the ferrule assembly and then, while viewingthe fiber under a microscope, rotating the ferrule assembly until thedesired alignment with respect to the microscope is achieved. At thispoint, adhesive is applied to the interface of the angular index memberand the ferrule assembly such that the angular index member becomesfixed to the ferrule assembly. This assembly then is incorporated intoan optical connector in which the radial position of the angular indexmember and the housing of the connector is predetermined. Although thisapproach is effective in establishing a high degree of “tuning” withrespect to the radial position of the fiber to the housing, its use ofadhesive tends to complicate its implementation and limit the conditionsunder which this radial alignment approach can be undertaken.

[0009] Additionally, applicants note that the angular index member usedin the 905 patent will tend to introduce a certain amount of playbetween the ferrule assembly and the housing. More specifically, sincethe radial positioning means on the annular index member (i.e., the keyways) have very little radial offset from the center of the ferruleassembly, any tolerance in the key way will tend to have a significantimpact on the radial orientation of the ferrule assembly.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for establishing the radial positionof the fiber relative to the connector which is simple and effective.The present invention fulfills this need among others.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides an approach for establishing theradial orientation of an optical fiber within a connector whichovercomes the aforementioned problems in the prior art. Morespecifically, the connector employs at least one ferrule assembly, apositioning member adapted to receive the ferrule assembly, and ahousing adapted to receive the positioning member. The ferruleinterengagement with the positioning member defines a first interfaceand the positioning members interengagement with the housing defines asecond interface. One interface provides for the radial adjustment ofthe fiber (herein the “adjustment interface”), while the other interfacehas a predetermined orientation with respect to either the connector orthe ferrule assembly.

[0012] The adjustment interface is preferably an interference fit toafford essentially infinite radial adjustment of the subject componentsfor unprecedented radial alignment precision. Furthermore, the use of aninterference fit avoids an assembly process which is complicated byadhesives or other complicated fixturing approaches.

[0013] Additionally, by using two readily-effected interfaces, time aneffort in establishing proper radial alignment may be segregated to theparticular subassembly comprising the adjustable interface. Thissubassembly may then be readily combined with the other components ofthe connector in a simple process in which the predetermined interfaceis effected. Therefore, an advantage of the two interface approach isthat a subassembly may be prepared at a different time and place thanthe rest of the connector assembly to exploit economies of scale anddifferences in skill levels/labor costs of the workers assembling theconnectors.

[0014] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is an opticalassembly kit for assembling a radially-orientated fiber connector. In apreferred embodiment, the optical fiber assembly kit comprises: (a) aferrule assembly having at least one bore hole to receive an opticalfiber and a first contact surface; (b) a positioning member having asecond contact surface and an aperture adapted to receive said ferruleassembly, wherein said first contact surface and said aperture areconfigured to form a first interface in which a first radial positionrelationship between said ferrule assembly and said position member ismaintained; (c) a housing having an internal cavity adapted forreceiving said position member and said ferrule assembly, said internalcavity and said second surface of said position member are configured toform a second interface such that a second radial position relationshipbetween said position member and said housing is maintained; and (d)wherein one of said first or second radial position relationships isadjustable in increments less than a quarter rotation, and the otherradial position relationship is predetermined, and wherein theadjustable radial position relationship is maintained by an interferencefit interface.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is an optical fiberassembly comprising both the adjustable interface and the predeterminedinterface. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises: (a) anoptical fiber; (b) a ferrule assembly having a first contact surface andat least one bore hole in which said optical fiber is disposed; (c) apositioning member having a second contact surface and an aperture inwhich said ferrule assembly is disposed thereby defining a firstinterface in which a first radial position relationship between saidferrule assembly and said positioning member is maintained; (d) ahousing in which said positioning member and said ferrule assembly aredisposed, said housing and said second surface of said positioningmember define a second interface such that a second radial positionrelationship between said positioning member and said housing ismaintained; and (e) wherein the interface associated with one of saidfirst or second radial position relationship is an interference fit andsaid one radial position relationship is adjustable in increments lessthan a quarter rotation prior to effecting the interface, and the otherradial position relationship is predetermined.

[0016] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method forassembling the connector in which at least the adjustable interface iseffected and optionally both interfaces are effected. In a preferredembodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) fixing an opticalfiber in a ferrule assembly; (b) establishing a first radial position byfixing a first interface between the ferrule assembly and a positioningmember; (c) establishing a second radial position by fixing a secondinterface between the positioning member and the housing, whereinestablishing one of either the first or second radial position comprisesradially orientating the fiber with respect to either the positioningmember or the connector housing and maintaining such radial positionwith an interference fit at either the first or second interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of the ferrule assembly of thepresent invention.

[0018]FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of the positioning member of thepresent invention.

[0019]FIG. 1c shows the positioning member of FIG. 1b mounted on theferrule assembly of FIG. 1a.

[0020]FIG. 2a shows a profile view of a small form factor connector thatincorporates the subassembly of the ferrule assembly and positioningmember of FIG. 1c.

[0021]FIG. 2b shows a rear view of the connector of FIG. 2a without afiber.

[0022]FIG. 2c shows a cross section of the connector shown in FIG. 2balong the Z plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1a through 2 c, a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. The figures show an optical fiber assembly 7comprising a ferrule assembly 1 having at least one bore hole 3 toreceive an optical fiber (not shown) and a first contact surface 4. Theoptical fiber assembly also comprises a positioning member 2 having asecond contact surface 6 and at least one aperture 5 adapted to receivea ferrule assembly 1. The first contact surface 4 and the surface 5 a ofthe aperture are configured to form a first interface 10 in which afirst position radial position relationship between the ferrule assembly1 and the position member 2 is maintained. The optical fiber assembly 7also comprises a housing 8 shown in FIGS. 2a through 2 c. The housing 8is adapted to receive the position member 2 and the ferrule assembly 1.The housing 8 and the second contact surface 6 of the positioning member2 are configured to form a second interface 12 such that a second radialposition relationship between the positioning member 2 and the housing 8is maintained.

[0024] In the optical fiber assembly 7 of the present invention one ofeither the first or second radial position relationships is adjustable(herein, the “adjustable interface”) in increments less than a quarterrotation while the other radial position relationship is predetermined.Further, preferably, the adjustable interface has an interference fitinterface. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a through 2 c, theadjustable interface is the first radial position relationship, and,thus, the first interface 10 between first contact surface 4 andaperture 5 is an interference fit.

[0025] An important aspect of the present invention is the fact thateither the first or second radial position relationship is adjustable inincrements less than a quarter rotation. Therefore, the approach of thepresent invention offers a finer tuning than is traditionally found inthe prior art. In a preferred embodiment, the increments are less then10°, and, in an even more preferred embodiment, the radial positionrelationship is essentially infinitely adjustable. In other words, theinterface associated with the one radial position relationship has nopredetermined radial position relationships. Such a fine degree oftuning allows the connector of the present invention to realize itsmaximum polarization potential or its minimize insertion loss potential.

[0026] Another important aspect of the present invention is the factthat the adjustable interface preferably comprises an interference fit.Such a fit is preferable over prior art adhesive approaches from asimplicity standpoint. It is also anticipated that the interference fitof the present invention can be effected in conditions consideredunsuitable for applying an adhesive bond, such as, for example, hightemperatures and a moist ambient. In a preferred embodiment, the firstinterface 10 is the adjustable interface and comprises the interactionof textured surfaces which minimize sliding there between. In a morepreferred embodiment, the first contact surface 4 is a splined surface 4a and the aperture surface 5 a comprises a material which is deformablearound splines 4 a. For example, the splines may be metal and theposition member plastic or a softer metal. Once the desired radialposition between the ferrule assembly 1 and the position member 2 isachieved, the position member can be slid over splines 4 a. The ridgesof splines 4 a tend to deform the aperture surface 5 a and prevent theradial movement between the position member and the edges. In otherwords, the position member cannot rotate around the ferrule assemblyonce the first interface 10 is effected.

[0027] Alternatively, the first contact surface 4 may be a side of apolygon defining a number of edges. Again, like the spline shaft,aperture surface 5 a will tend to deform about the edges and prevent therelative motion of the positioning member relative to the ferruleassembly.

[0028] The preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS.1a through 2 c enjoys another advantage over the prior art with respectto the second interface 12. Applicants recognize that more precisecontrol over the rotation of the ferrule assembly 1 can be achieved ifthe features for preventing this rotation are located away from thefiber so that any play or tolerance in these anti-rotation features isdissipated over the distance from the features to the center of theferrule assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the protrusions 6 a arelocated as far from the axial axis of the ferrule assembly 1 aspossible. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the key protrusions 6 a extend outwardly from the positionmember and are received in the diametric corners of the housing 8. Morespecifically, the second interface 12 preferably comprises a keyed fitbetween the housing 8 and the second surface 6 of the position member.As shown in FIG. 2b, in a preferred embodiment, the second surface 6comprises key protrusions 6 a. These protrusions 6 a are more preferablykeys 9 a which are configured to fit snugly in receiving cavities 9 ofthe housing 8. Since the key protrusions 6 a are held snugly byreceiving cavities 9, the position member 2 (and, thus, the ferruleassembly 1) is unable essentially to rotate with respect to the housing8 and, to the extent there is rotation, such rotation represents a smallportion of the second interfaces perimeter and, thus, will have anequally small effect at the core of the fiber.

[0029] Referring to back to FIGS. 1a-2 c, the various components of thepreferred embodiment will be considered in detail and with respect toalternative embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1a, the ferrule assemblycomprises a ferrule portion 11 having a bore hole 3 to receive a fiber(not shown). Such ferrules are well known in the art and include, forexample, traditional ferrules such as those used in the ST and FCconnectors, and small form factor ferrules, such as those used in the LCand MU-type connectors.

[0030] To facilitate the first interface, it is preferable for theferrule assembly to comprise an interface structure 13. The interfacestructure 13 comprises a first contact surface 4 which is preferably atextured surface 4 a to facilitate an interference fit. Suitabletexturing includes, for example, splines, edges, bumps, ribs, and sandand grit. Generally, it is preferred for the textured surface 4 a to beharder than the aperture surface 5 a of the positioning member 2 suchthat the aperture surface deforms around the texturing and ”fixes” therelative radial position of the two components. In this embodiment, thetextured surface comprises splines running along the length of thesurface. In a preferred embodiment, the interface structure alsocomprises a collar 14 to provide a surface upon which the positioningmember 2 can seat when the first interface is effected. The collar 14therefore establishes a stop point for the positioning member 2 alongthe axis of the ferrule assembly 1.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1b, a preferred embodiment of the positioningmember 2 is shown. As mentioned above, the positioning member comprisesan aperture 5 for receiving the ferrule assembly 1 and forming the firstinterface between the aperture surface 5 a and the first contact surface4 of the ferrule assembly 1. Although the positioning member shown hasjust one aperture 4 for accepting just one ferrule assembly 1, it shouldbe understood that the present invention is not limited to such anembodiment. To the contrary, this embodiment facilitates the independentradial positioning of multiple ferrule assemblies in a singlepositioning member prior to the positioning member's incorporation intothe housing. The position member in such an embodiment would be largerrelative to the ferrule assemblies than as depicted herein. For example,it may have a rectangular shape, rather than circular as shown, and itmay have apertures arranged in one or more rows.

[0032] In this embodiment, the positioning member preferably comprisesprotrusions 6 a which are received in predetermine cavities of theinterior of the housing 8 as mentioned above. It should be understood,however, that if the second interface is the adjustable interface, thenit may have a surface similar to that of the first contact surface 4,i.e., textured.

[0033] The housing 8 has an outer surface and functionality similar totraditional connector housings, although the interior space of thehousing is configured to receive the ferrule assembly 1 and thepositioning member 2. To receive these components, the housing definescavities 9 for receiving the protrusions 6 a. It is important to notethat in this embodiment, the cavities are located diametrically in twocorners. By receiving the protrusions in the corners, the diameter ofthe positioning member can be maximized. It is also worthwhile to notethat, although two protrusions 6 a on the positioning member and twocavities 9 in the housing are depicted, the invention is not limited tothis configuration and other means of effecting the second interface maybe used. For example, the positioning member may have four protrusionsthat are received in the four corners of the housing. Furthermore,rather than relying on protrusions or other surface anomalies on thesecond contact surface to interengage with the housing and preventradial movement therebetween, the positioning member may be asymmetric(e.g., an oval) and the interior space of the housing may have a similarasymmetric shape. Providing that the asymmetric interior space isclosely toleranced, the asymmetrical positioning member will not rotatetherein.

[0034] Although the internal features of the housing appear to beintegrally molded in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2c, it should beunderstood that the housing may comprise a number of discretecomponents. For example, it is within the scope of the invention thatthe housing comprises an insert which is disposed within a basic housingshell and which provides the closely toleranced cavities to receive theprotrusions 6 a.

[0035] The present invention provides for a simple and effective methodfor establishing a fiber's radial orientation with respect to theconnector housing. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises thesteps of: (a) fixing an optical fiber in a ferrule assembly 1; (b)establishing a first radial position by fixing a first interface 10between the ferrule assembly and a positioning member 2; (c)establishing a second radial position by fixing a second interface 12between the positioning member 2 and the housing 8, wherein establishingone of either the first or second radial position comprises radiallyorientating the fiber with respect to either the positioning member 2 orthe connector housing 8 and maintaining such radial position with aninterference fit at either the first or second interface. It should beunderstood that the steps above may be performed in any order.Furthermore, it is anticipated that the first radial position and thesecond radial position may be established at different times and atdifferent locations. Therefore, it is within the scope of the inventionfor just portions of the method described herein to be performed.

[0036] As mentioned above, preferably, the adjustment interface is thefirst interface. Thus, in step (b) the fiber's orientation with respectto the positioning member is established by effecting an interferencefit between the ferrule assembly and the positioning member. Thisembodiment has a number of assembly advantages. First, since the firstinterface is the adjustment interface, the fiber can be orientatedoutside of the housing as a discrete subassembly. Consequently, thissubassembly can be prepared at a different time and location than theassembly of the connector itself. Since fiber orientation is relativelysophisticated process while the final assembly of the connector is arelatively easy process, different work forces of different skill levelscan be optimized. For example, the subassemblies can be prepared in anarea having a highly skilled but expensive work force, and then shippedto a location having a less-skilled and less-expensive work force forthe final assembly of the subassembly into the housing.

[0037] Another significant advantage of the first interface being theadjustable interface is that it facilitates the assembly of multiferruleconnectors. Specifically, multiple ferrule assemblies can be radiallyaligned within a single positioning member and then that singlepositioning member may be installed in a housing.

[0038] The preferred method of effecting the interference fit at thefirst interface 10 is to slide the positioning member over the texturedfirst contact surface 4 a of the ferrule assembly 1. As mentioned above,the textured first contact surface 4 a will interfere with the apertureto such a degree that radial movement between the ferrule assembly andthe positioning member is significantly impeded. Although the use of aferrule assembly with a textured surface is preferred, other approachesfor effecting an interference fit may be used, including, for example,texturing the aperture surface 5 a instead of the ferrule assembly,texturing both the first surface 4 and the aperture surface 5 a suchthat the surface anomalies interact and prevent relative radialmovement, and shrink fitting the positioning member around the ferruleassembly using known shrink fitting techniques (e.g., expanding thepositioning member by heating it and then sliding it over the ferruleassembly such that when the positioning member cools it contracts andtightens around the ferrule assembly).

[0039] Orientating the fiber to the connector housing may be performedusing different techniques. For example, for cases in which thecharacteristics of the fiber/ferrule that requires radial positioningare visually detectable (e.g., polarization maintaining fibers andbeveled end faces for angled physical contact), it may be preferable toorientate the fiber visually. With this approach, step (b) of the methodcomprises the additional steps of: (i) viewing the fiber through amicroscope to identify the polarization maintaining axis of the fiber(not shown) or the orientation of the fiber's beveled end face; (ii)altering the radial position of the positioning member 2 relative to themicroscope to effect proper radial alignment of the polarizationmaintaining axis with the positioning member; and (iii) effecting thefirst interface 10. Preferably, step (ii) involves holding thepositioning member fixed with respect to the microscope and rotating theferrule assembly until the desired orientation is achieved.

[0040] This approach is preferred if the positioning member has features(e.g., protrusions) which facilitate its placement within the housing ina predetermined radial position. That is, the same features may be usedalso to position the positioning member in a particular predeterminedposition with respect to the microscope as well. It should beunderstood, however, that the present invention is not limited to thisapproach and that the fiber may be held stationary relative to themicroscope and the positioning member moved instead.

[0041] For cases in which the characteristics of the fiber/ferrule thatrequires radial positioning are not visually detectable (e.g., asymmetryon the ferrule surface including apex offset and bore hole misalignment)or in which visual inspection of the fiber/ferrule is otherwiseundesirable, it may be preferable to orientate the fibers using activealignment. With this approach, step (b) of the method comprises theadditional steps of: (i) optically coupling the ferrule assembly to atest ferrule assembly (not shown); (ii) measuring light transmittancebetween the ferrule assembly 1 and a test ferrule assembly (not shown);(iii) rotating the ferrule assembly 1 relative to the housing untillight transmittance is maximized; and (iv) effecting at least one ofeither the first interface or the second interface to maintain theradial orientation of the fiber assembly with the housing. In apreferred embodiment, as mentioned above, it is the first interface thatis adjustable and it would be adjusted until light transmittance ismaximized.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical fiber assembly kit comprising: aferrule assembly having at least one bore hole to receive an opticalfiber and a first contact surface; a positioning member having a secondcontact surface and an aperture adapted to receive said ferruleassembly, wherein said first contact surface and said aperture areconfigured to form a first interface in which a first radial positionrelationship between said ferrule assembly and said position member ismaintained; and a housing having an interior cavity adapted forreceiving said position member and said ferrule assembly, said housingand said second surface of said position member are configured to form asecond interface such that a second radial position relationship betweensaid position member and said housing is maintained, wherein one of saidfirst or second radial position relationships is adjustable inincrements less than a quarter rotation, and the other radial positionrelationship is predetermined, and wherein said one radial positionrelationship has an interference fit interface.
 2. The kit of claim 1,wherein said increments are less than 10°.
 3. The kit of claim 1,wherein the interface associated with said one radial positionrelationship has no predetermined radial position relationships.
 4. Thekit of claim 3, wherein said one radial position relationship isessentially infinitely adjustable.
 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein saidfirst radial position relationship is said one radial positionrelationship.
 6. The kit of claim 5, wherein said first interfacecomprises textured surfaces which minimizes sliding therebetween.
 7. Thekit of claim 6, wherein said first contact surface is a splined surfaceand said aperture is deformable around the splines.
 8. The kit of claim6, wherein said first contact surface has a polygonal cross section anddefines a plurality of edges, and said aperture is deformable about saidedges.
 9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the second interface comprises apredetermined keyed fit.
 10. The kit of claim 1, wherein the interfaceof said other radial position relationship comprises a predeterminedkeyed fit.
 11. The kit of claim 10, wherein said second contact surfacecomprises key protrusions that interact with the housing
 12. The kit ofclaim 11, wherein said housing has a substantially square cross sectionand said key protrusions are configured to seat at diametrically opposedcorners of said housing.
 13. An optical fiber assembly comprising: anoptical fiber; a ferrule assembly having a first contact surface and atleast one bore hole in which said optical fiber is disposed; apositioning member having a second contact surface and an aperture inwhich said ferrule assembly is disposed thereby defining a firstinterface in which a first radial position relationship between saidferrule assembly and said position member is maintained; and a housingin which said position member and said ferrule assembly are disposed,said housing and said second surface of said position member define asecond interface such that a second radial position relationship betweensaid position member and said housing is maintained, wherein theinterface associated with one of said first or second radial positionrelationship is an interference fit and said one radial positionrelationship is adjustable in increments less than a quarter rotationprior to effecting the interface, and the other radial positionrelationship is predetermined.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, whereinsaid fiber is a polarization maintaining fiber.
 15. The assembly ofclaim 13, wherein said fiber has a beveled end face.
 16. A method ofassembling an optical fiber assembly comprising the steps of: (a) fixingan optical fiber in a ferrule assembly; (b) establishing a first radialposition by fixing a first interface between said ferrule assembly and apositioning member; and (c) establishing a second radial position byfixing a second interface between said positioning member and a housing,wherein establishing one of either said first or second radial positioncomprises radially orientating said fiber with respect to either saidpositioning member or said housing and maintaining such radial positionwith an interference fit at either said first or second interface. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein optimizing optical coupling comprisesmaintaining polarization.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said oneof either said first or second radial position is said first radialposition.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the followingsteps prior to forming said first interface: (i) viewing the fiberthrough a microscope to identify the polarization maintaining axis ofthe fiber or the orientation of the fiber's beveled end face; (ii)altering the radial position of the position member relative to themicroscope to effect proper radial alignment of the polarizationmaintaining axis with the position member; and (iii) effecting the firstinterface.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein step (ii) involvesholding the positioning member fixed with respect to the microscope androtating the ferrule assembly until the desired orientation is achieved.21. The method of claim 16, wherein optimizing optical couplingcomprises minimizing insertion loss between said ferrule and a matingferrule assembly.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising thefollowing steps prior to forming said one radial position relationship:(i) optically coupling the ferrule assembly to a test ferrule assembly;(ii) measuring light transmittance between the ferrule assembly and atest ferrule assembly; (iii) rotating the ferrule assembly relative tothe housing until light transmittance is maximized; and (iv) effectingat least one of either the first interface or the second interface tomaintain the radial orientation of the fiber assembly with the housing.23. The method of claim 22, wherein said first interface is adjustable.24. The method of claim 23, wherein said optical fiber has a beveled endface.
 25. The method of claim 16, wherein said optical fiber has abeveled end face.
 26. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps offorming the first and second interfaces are performed a singleoperation.
 27. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of forming thefirst and second interfaces are performed by different workers.
 28. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the steps of forming the first and secondinterfaces are performed by different workers at different locations.